Tapered tip ultrasonic aspiration method
First Claim
1. A method for removing thermoplastic prosthetic cement from bone comprising:
- contacting thermoplastic prosthetic cement adherent to a bone surface with an aspirating ultrasonically vibrating surgical device, having a centrally located bore which extends throughout the length of said device;
vibrating said device to provide ultrasonic vibration of a sufficient amplitude and frequency to melt said cement while simultaneously irrigating said bone surface; and
aspirating said melted cement and irrigant through said bores of said device;
wherein the distal end of the bore expands in diameter in the direction of aspirant flow to facilitate removal of said melted cement and wherein removal of said irrigant cools heat generated by said device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for the melting and removal of thermoplastic prosthetic implant cement through the use of an aspirating ultrasonic surgical device is provided. The instrument defines a centrally located bore which expands in diameter from a surgical tip in the direction of aspirant flow for a length equal to at least 1/4 the wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency of the device so as to prevent blockage by solidified cores of cement. Alternatively, the bore expands from a first uniform diameter extending from the tip end to a second uniform diameter. A compound taper at the tip end minimizes contact between the outer surface of the tube at the tip end. A novel transducer cooling system is provided by incorporating a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material between the piezoelectric crystal (which generates heat as a byproduct) and a hollow metal bolt which defines a central bore through which cooling irrigant flows to conductively remove heat generated by the crystal.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for removing thermoplastic prosthetic cement from bone comprising:
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contacting thermoplastic prosthetic cement adherent to a bone surface with an aspirating ultrasonically vibrating surgical device, having a centrally located bore which extends throughout the length of said device; vibrating said device to provide ultrasonic vibration of a sufficient amplitude and frequency to melt said cement while simultaneously irrigating said bone surface; and aspirating said melted cement and irrigant through said bores of said device; wherein the distal end of the bore expands in diameter in the direction of aspirant flow to facilitate removal of said melted cement and wherein removal of said irrigant cools heat generated by said device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for removing thermoplastic prosthetic cement from bone comprising:
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applying ultrasonic vibration to thermoplastic prosthetic cement adherent to a bone surface, wherein said vibration is of a sufficient amplitude and frequency to melt said cement; simultaneously irrigating said bone surface; and aspirating and removing said melted cement and irrigant. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 12)
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11. The method of claim 71 wherein the thermoplastic prosthetic cement is cement adherent to bone cavity surrounding an endoprosthesis.
Specification